Homeowners in Laredo get a lot of visits from creepy crawlers, and one common nuisance is the silverfish. There is nothing worse than getting ready to enjoy a relaxing shower or bath and seeing tiny, silvery-looking little insects crawling around in the bathtub. These little insects are known as silverfish, and are named after their almost metallic appearance and fish-like movements. Silverfish can be destructive, and though they may not be as dangerous as some other common household pests, they are not good news. The team at EnviroGuard Pest Control wants you to know what to look out for and how to get rid of silverfish in your Laredo home.
What To Know About Silverfish
Silverfish are found throughout the United States. They are often seen in moist, humid areas of homes and buildings including kitchens, basements, attics, and bathrooms. Silverfish are great at hiding so they can go unnoticed in your home for long periods of time. Silverfish are gross, but they are not carriers of disease or pathogens that cause harm to humans. They shed their skins leaving behind scales, which can cause an allergic reaction in some people. While silverfish will not harm or bite humans, they will damage property. They like to eat paper-based things like books, cardboard, wallpaper, glue, insulation, other dead insects, etc. They will also eat carbohydrate-based foods like flour, and also seek out protein and sugar.
What Silverfish Look Like
- Silverfish are flat and long, in an oval shape.
- Silverfish are generally covered with scales.
- Silverfish have three tail-like appendages on the rear end of their body, with two antennae on the front.
- Immature and adult silverfish look quite similar. Younger insects do not have scales and adult silverfish tend to be larger.
- Silverfish are usually about 3/4 of an inch in length, not including their tail.
How Silverfish Enter Homes
Silverfish enter homes in a variety of ways because they are known to infest paper-based products and items such as books, wallpapers, cardboard boxes, and more. They often hitch a ride into residential homes from commercial and public spaces through items like cardboard containers, books, and papers. These include office buildings, stores, libraries, schools, and other public spaces. Once inside a building, they will find places to nest and move into walls and other areas of homes. Silverfish do not always hitch a ride into residential homes; they can be lured inside by warm, moist spaces. Silverfish enter homes through torn screens, gaps around doors or windows, foundation cracks, and other common holes, cracks, or openings around the outsides of homes.
Prevent And Treat Silverfish In Your Laredo Home
While they are more of a nuisance pest than a dangerous pest, silverfish infestations are no joke. Left alone, silverfish can cause damage to personal property, and they will chew holes in almost anything including clothing, wallpaper, and furniture. If you see silverfish, it is a great idea to contact professional pest control specialists like the team at EnviroGuard Pest Control. Because silverfish are so small, reproduce so quickly, and are so hard to find, an infestation will require Laredo professional pest control experts.
There are some things homeowners can do to prevent silverfish from being attracted to the dark, damp, warm spaces around their homes. EnviroGuard Pest Control offers the following tips to prevent a silverfish infestation:
- Regularly inspect areas of your home where silverfish like to live.
- Try not to store things near your home's exterior, as this can provide a ladder for silverfish to get inside doors and windows.
- Use a dehumidifier in your home or business.
- Regularly look for and then repair leaky drains and water pipes around your home. This includes areas like the laundry room and basement.
- Do not store old magazines, books, and files in areas silverfish like to inhabit. Keep carbohydrate-based foods such as flour and sugar in airtight containers.
- Repair and remove moldy and wet wood in and around your home.
- Seal up all cracks or holes along pipes and foundations that silverfish can get inside through.
Call The Experts At EnviroGuard Pest Control To Get Rid Of Silverfish
If you suspect a silverfish infestation in your home, reach out to the professional pest control specialists at EnviroGuard Pest Control right away. There are a variety of silverfish treatment options, and our team can help you decide what is appropriate for your home and needs. Do not trust removing a silverfish infestation to internet advice or experimenting with over-the-counter pest control chemicals. Silverfish are a common pest to see around Laredo, so the EnviroGuard Pest Control team is well versed in silverfish treatment, and we are here to keep your Laredo home silverfish-free. Call EnviroGuard Pest Control for all your commercial and residential pest control needs.